BODY SIZE:

There is great variability in the size of nematodes. Free-living nematodes in soil and freshwater vary in length from about 150 um (microns) to 10 mm. Marine species vary from 83 um to about 50 mm in length. The animal parasites range from about 1 mm to 6 or 7 meters in length, the largest being a nematode parasitic in whales. Plant parasites range from 0.25 mm to approximately 12 mm in length.

References:

1. Maggenti, A.R. 1981. General Nematology. Springer-Verlag, New York. 372 pages.
2. Agrios, G.N. 1969. Plant Pathology. Academic Press, New York. 629 pages.

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